Collapsible brush



May 1950 G. E. LA VIETES ET AL 2,507,340

COLLAPSIBLE BRUSH Filed June 26, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet l a K w w #m M m w 2 MW 6 MT 2 :m A 1% May 9, 1950 G. E. LA VIETIES ET AL COLLAPSIBLE BRUSH 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 26, 1946 m Ma y/Ill??? as mmlm m S u 99$ y 1950 e. E. LA VIETES ET AL COLLAPSIBLE BRUSH 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June 26, 1946 J M a 0 My Mm 5 3 in W $NA y 1950 G. E. LA VIETES ET AL 2,507,340

COLLAPSIBLE BRUSH Filed June 26, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented May 9, 1950 COLLAPSIBLE BRUSH George E. La Vietes, New Haven, and Malcolm P.

Nichols, North Haven, Conn; said Nichols assignor to said La Vietes Application June 26, 1946, Serial No. 679,396

Claims. 1

The present invention relates to improvements in collapsible brushes and relates more particularly to collapsible brushes of the type which may be used as hair brushes or clothing brushes, though available for other uses.

Collapsible brushes have heretofore been proposed but have been open to many objections, among which may be mentioned the fact that the erection and retirement of the brush-elements has been more or less uncertain and has required dificult and generally unsatisfactory manipulation of mechanisms by the user.

One of the main objects of the present invention is to provide a superior collapsible brush having its elements so constructed and arranged that the advancement and retirement of the brush-elements are rendered certain, convenient and almost efiortless.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a superior collapsible brush having a plurality of brush-elements pivotally connected to a frame structure, together with operatingmeans so constructed and arranged .as to combine convenience in use and low cost for manufacture.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a superior brush of the character re ferred to and which includes a casing having two relatively-hinged case-elements, together with operating-means so associated with the said hinged case-elements as to automatically effect the movement of a plurality of brush-elements as an incident to hinging movement between the two said case-elements.

With the above and other objects in view, as will appear to those skilled in the .art from the present disclosure, this invention includes all features in the said disclosure which are novel over the prior art.

In the accompanying drawings, in which certain modes of carrying out the present invention are shown for illustrative purposes:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a collapsible brush embodying the present invention and shown with the case-cover closed;

' Fig. 2 is a similar view but showing the casecover swung into an open position but with the brush-units still collapsed;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view, but showing the case-cover fully turned against the outer face of the main case-member to efiect the advance ment or erection of the brush-units;

Fig. 4 is a broken view in longitudinal section of the collapsing brush, showing the brush-units collapsed and the case-cover closed, the parts .2 being shown on a larger scale than in the preceding figures; I l

Fig. 5 is a broken top or plan view of the right end portion of the collapsing brush with the case cover partly swung into its open position but with the end wall in its normal position and the brushunits fully collapsed;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 but showing the parts in the positions which they assume when the case-cover is swung into its fully open position, as is shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 is a broken longitudinal sectional view taken on line 1-1 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a broken perspective view of the brushguiding member, detached;

Fig. 10 is a similar view of the brush-operating slide, detached;

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the pivotal end wall, detached;

Fig. 12 is a fragmental perspective view in transverse section on a greatly enlarged scale of a portion of the brush-operating slide; and

Fig. 13 is a fragmental perspective view of one of the pivotal brush-units.

The particular collapsing brush chosen for il lustration in the accompanying drawings for purposes of making clear a preferred form of the present invention, includes a main case-member generally designated by the reference character l5 and a case-cover I 6 which, together with a lateral or end wall l1, provide a complete casing or enclosure for the reception of pivotal brushunits in a manner as will hereinafter appear.

For purposes of clarity of description, the main case-member [5 may be said to include an integral,

end wall I8 located opposite the hinged end wall I? and integral sidewalls l9 and 20 extending between the hinged end wall I! and the opposite end wall 18 and integral withthe latter. said main case-member I5 also includes a bottom wall 2| which, in the instance shown, is integral with all three of the lateral walls 18,19 and 20.

The edge of the bottom wall 2| adjacent the hinged end wall I! is notched and formed with a plurality or spaced-apart hingeeknuckle s 22 interfitting with hinge-knuckles 23 formed on the lower edge of the end wall l1. Both sets of knuckles 22 and 23 jointly receive a hinge-pin 24 by means of which the said end wall is pivotally secured to the adjacent edge of the bottom wall 2|. 1

The upper portion of the end wall I! is notched at intervals and formed with; a series of later- The ally-spaced-apart rearwardly-projecting hingeknuckles 25 which interfit with hinge-knuckles 26 formed on the adjacent end of the case-cover It. Extending through both sets of hinge-knuckles 25 and 26 is a hinge-pin 21 serving to pivotally interconnect the upper end of the end wall i1 and the adjacent end of the case-cover l6.

Respectively secured to. the inner faces of the walls l8, l9 and 29 of the case-member 15 are the end wall 28 and the side walls 29 and 39 of a brush-guiding member, generally designated by the reference character 3|, and of U-shapedlongitudinal form. The said member may be secured in place in any approved manner: such, for instance, as by solder, welding-or cementing.

The inner edge of the brush-guiding member 3! is spaced above the inner faceof the-bottom wall 2| of the main case-member I5, while its outer edge is extended above the upper edge of' the said case-member, all for purposes as will hereinafter appear.

The respective opposite side walls 2-9-and 3il-are eachf'ormed with a plurality of guide-notches 32, allinclined" in the same direction and intersecting the'lower or inner-edges of the said side walls Hand 30;

Interposed between the upper or inner surface of the -bott'om wall 2 l of'the main case-member i5 and theinner orund'er edges-orthe brush-guiding member 3| isabrusli-operating slide generally designated by the reference-character 33. The said'slide is formed-on its respective opposite side edges with upwardly-extending side-flanges 34 and- 35,- each of which is pierced at spaced intervals corresponding to the: intervals between the guide -notches 32-, to pro'videa plurality of sockets 36.

Mounted within the case-member- [-5 for pivotal movement, are two sets of brush-units respectively generally designatedby the reference characters 3'! and 38. The said brush-units 3? and 38 each comprise-=a-frame-39 and a series of groups of bristles tdprojecting from one edge of the said frame.

The-brush-units 3'1 anti 38 correspond to each other with the single exception that their series of groups of'bristles4i3 are different in number and difierently locatedin a direction lengthwise of the said frames, in order that-the groupsof bristles of theseriesprojecting from one frame39 may fit between-a similar-group of bristles of the seriesprojecting from anadjacent frame 39. To achievethe result-referred to, the brush-units 31 and T alternatewith each other.

Each of the frames 39 hasprojecting from its respective opposite ends. adjacent its inner or loweredge; oneoFtwointegra-l'studs 4|, each of which extendsinto-one of the sockets 36 in the adjacent one ofthe side flanges 34 and 35, as the case may be, of the brusheoperating slide 33. Each frame 39 is alsoformed at its respective opposite ends with-one oftwo'studs 42-42 projecting intotheguide notches 32 of, the adjacent one of the side wallsl'B and-Wot the U-shaped brushguiding member-i I: as the case may be.

On, the upper; portion of. its inner face, the end wall I! is providedwith twoinwardly-projecting,

lugs 43 respectively located adjacent its opposite ends and having respectiyely pivotally. connected,

thereto, one ofa pail-of similar links 4444; The inner ends of the links 44 44* just referred to,

are respectively pivotally connected to one or two, One of the said ears extendsplastic material has been found to be admirably suited, either alone or in combination with sheet metal.

Operation that the flanged case-cover I6 is closed and that For purposes of description, let it be assumed the hinged end wall I! is also closed, as is shown in Figs. 1 and 4. Under these conditions, the brush-units 37 and 38 .will be inclined or collapsed, into the. positions inrwhichthey are shown in Figs. 2, 4and5,

Now, when. it is desired to: utilize the brushstructure, the: case-cover. lf may be swung into the position shown by fulllines in Fig. 2, and. by brokenlines inFignl, whereinit, extends inparallelism Y and, in engagement. withthe outer face of the. hinged endwall IJJ. Thefurther swinging movement of the case-coverv intothe positionin whichitis shown inFigs. 3 andfii, willcause the said case-cover toactasa leverrextension of the end wall IT and forciblyv swing the, latter. into theposition. in which it is-shownin the figures just referred .to.

The described swinging, movement of the end wall ll will pull: outwardly uponthe linksM and. hence will pull. outwardly upon-the brushroperating slide 33. The outwardmovement oi the brush-operating slide 33 will pullcuponthe lower studs. il4.lv oi each of: the. frames 39 of; thebrushrunitsiil. and/38,. and-cause the upper studserected or advanced positionsand the structure.

conveniently employed asabrush.

When it is desired to collapse, or retire the blush-units 3'! and 3a,.the case-cover Iii-may be reversed. in. direction, and. when it reaches. thepositionindicatedby the brokenlinesat the right:-

of Fig. 7, it will. engage, its inner face with the upper edge of the hinged end wall. i1 and thereafter. act as a lever-extensionoi the said end wall. By continuing theeswinging.v movement of. the case-cover l6 from ,.the.positi0n.in which itisin cheated by brckenjines. inFigJZ intothe position in which itisshown, iorinstance, inv Fig.4.. the.

links 24-34 will be forced inwardly, thereby-similarly. forcingthe.brush-operating. slide. 33= in the same direction- The described movement. of the. slide .33 will:

carry with it the lower studs 41-41, of each of the hrush-unit's t'l and38 andjwill force the upper studs 4242.ofi'the saidbrush-unitsto. ride down. the surfaces of; the guide-notches 32,150 thus tilt all of the saidibrush-units andrestore them to the positions inwhich they, are shown in Figs. 2, 4 and 5 when the case-cover [5 has reached its. fully-closedpositiongas is'shownin Figs. 1 and 4.

The invention may be carried out in other specific ways than those herein set forth without departing from the spirit and essential characteristics of the invention, and the present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and all changes coming within the meaning and equivalency range of the appended claims are intended to be embraced therein.

We claim:

1. A collapsible brush, including in combination: a casing-structure constructed and arranged to provide a housing for a plurality of pivotal brush-units, the said casing-structure including a main case-member, a plurality of fixed edge walls, and an edge wall pivotally connected to the said main case-member to complete the edge boundaries of the latter; a plurality of brush-units pivotally connected to the said main case-member and constructed and arranged to swing with respect thereto into and out of advanced and retired positions; and brush-operating means operatively interconnecting the said pivotal edge wall and the said plurality of pivotal brush-units to concurrently move the latter into and out of advanced and retired positions with respect to the said main case-member when the said edge wall is swung with respect to the said main case-member.

2. A collapsible brush, including in combination: a casing-structure constructed and arranged to provide a housing for a plurality of pivotal brush-units, the said casing-structure including a first case-member, a second case-member pivotally connected to the said first casemember and a third case-member pivotally connected to the said second case-member to move the same and pivoting about an axis substantially parallel with the pivoting axis of the said second case-member; a plurality of brush-units pivotally connected to the said first case-member and constructed and arranged to swing with respect thereto into and out of advanced and retired positions; and brush-operating means operatively interconnecting the said second case-member and the said plurality of pivotal brush-units to concurrently move the latter into and out of advanced and retired positions with respect to the said first case-member when the said second case-member is swung with respect to the said first case-member by the said third case-member.

3. A collapsible br-ush, including in combination: a casing-structure constructed and arranged to provide a housing for a plurality of pivotal brush-units, the said casing-structure including a main case-member, a lateral wall pivotally connected to the said main casemember and a case-cover pivotally connected to the said lateral wall to move the same and pivoting an axis substantially parallel with the pivoting axis of the said lateral wall; a plurality of brush-units pivotally connected to the said main case-member and constructed and arranged to swing with respect thereto into and out of advanced and retired positions; and brushoperating means operatively interconnectingthe said lateral wall and the said plurality of pivotal a 6 brush-units to concurrently move the latter into and out of advanced and retired positions with respect to the said main case-member when the said lateral wall is swung with respect to the said main case-member by the said case-cover.

4. A collapsible brush, including in combination: a casing-structure constructed and arranged to substantially enclose a plurality of pivotal brush-units, the said casing-structure including a main case-member having a fixed lateral wall and a hinged lateral wall; a casecover hinged to the said hinged lateral wall at an edge of the latter remote from its hinged connection with the said main case-member and constructed and arranged to engage an outer portion of itself with an outer portion of the said hinged lateral wall to function as a lever-extension of the latter; a plurality of brush-units pivotally connected to the said main case-member and constructed and arranged to swing with respect thereto into and out of advanced and retired positions; and brush-operating means operatively interconnecting the said hinged lateral wall of the main case-member to the said plurality of pivotal brush-units to concurrently move the latter into and out of advanced and retired positions when the said hinged lateral wall is swung with respect to the main portion of the said main case-member by the said casecover.

5. A collapsible brush, including in combination: a casing-structure constructed and arranged to substantially enclose a plurality of pivotal brush-units, the said casing-structure including a main case-member having a fixed lateral wall and a hinged lateral wall, a casecover hinged to the said hinged lateral wall at an edge of the latter remote from its hinged connection with the said main case-member and constructed and arranged to engage an outer portion of itself with an outer portion of the said hinged lateral wall to function as a lever-extension of the latter; a plurality of brush-units pivotally connected to the said main case-member and constructed and arranged to swing with respect thereto into and out of advanced and retired positions; and brush-operatingmeans including pivotal link-means operatively inter connecting the said hinged lateral wall of the main case-member to the said plurality of pivotal brush-units to concurrently move the latter into and out of advanced and retired positions when the said hinged lateral wall is swung with respect to the main portion of the said main case-member by the said case-cover.

GEORGE E. LA VIETES. MALCOLM P. NICHOLS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 696,798 Chambers Apr. 1, 1902 1,283,920 Rosenberg Nov. 5, 1918 

